SBP says talks with Jordan Clarkson still open, but admits hurdles to his Gilas stint

Jordan Clarkson is on the final months of his rookie contract with the Lakers and is bound for a potentially lucrative deal with the NBA's glamour franchise. Jerome Ascano

THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas said the communication lines with Jordan Clarkson remain open, but admitted major hurdles need to be cleared before the Los Angeles Lakers' Fil-Am guard can suit up for Gilas in the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said the basketball body is still touch with the family and representatives of Clarkson, who has expressed his desire to play for the national team of his mother's homeland and had in fact joined Gilas during its stint in last year's Jones Cup in Taipei.

However, the NBA sophomore's stint with Gilas in the Fiba Asia Championship was derailed by his lack of clearance from Fiba and a conflict in schedule with the start of the Lakers' training camp.

"We're talking to them. The talks are alive. Hindi naman 'yung, 'Pagasa pa ba 'yan? Sagot ko, 'Hindi na kami nag-uusap.' We're still talking to them," Barrios told Spin.ph when asked about Clarkson's availability for the qualifiers which the Philippines will host from July 4-10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"Buhay pa, nag-uusap pa, there's still light at the end of the tunnel. Hindi lang ganun pang kaliwanag," he said.

Barrios said the SBP will have to wait for the result of talks between Clarkson and the Lakers before taking the next step, which is to secure a clearance for the 6-5 guard to suit up for the Philippines in international play.

Fiba won't act on the Clarkson case unless the Lakers and the NBA give the player a clearance, he added.

However, Barrios admitted they are closely watching developments with the Lakers, especially since Clarkson's contract will expire at the end of the season and - judging from his current form - he is bound to get a multi-million, multi-year deal from the NBA's glamour franchise.

That should impact on Gilas' chances of securing Clarkson's services, Barrios admitted.

"Sa ngayon kasi, any activity ni Clarkson outside of the Lakers that may endanger his contract negotiations, he is on his last year eh. So siguro yung mga magulang and Clarkson himself, they're looking at a juicy longterm contract.

With the NBA regular season nearing its final stretch (the Lakers are nowhere close to making the playoffs in Bryant's final season) and the Olympic qualifier still six months away, Barrios said there is also plenty of time to sort out the Clarkson situation.